Asylum: Contracts

(asked on 11th October 2018) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure that Local Authorities are consulted on the provisions of the new (a) asylum accommodation and support services and (b) advice, issue reporting and eligibility contracts prior to their finalisation; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
Caroline Nokes Portrait
Caroline Nokes
This question was answered on 16th October 2018

In developing the structure of the contractual arrangements and the specifications within them the Home Office undertook extensive consultation with local government, devolved governments, non-governmental organisations and the market.

Engagement was both at a national and regional level, with the regional level coordinated by Strategic Migration Partnerships using their knowledge of regional stakeholders. Engagement activity used a range of approaches, including roundtable discussions, one-to-one engagement and a written exercise. Stakeholder feedback had considerable influence on the specifications in the contract, where the Home Office has adopted a host of improvements that were proposed by stakeholders.

As we approach contract award, expected to be before the end of December 2018, we will increase the engagement activity to ensure that all partners and stakeholders are aware of the new contracts and how they will work and are able to work constructively to make the services work for Service Users and local communities.

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